The Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
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WHC Nomination Documentation File Name: 1011.pdf UNESCO Region: EUROPE AND THE NORTH AMERICA __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SITE NAME: The Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots DATE OF INSCRIPTION: 2nd December 2000 STATE PARTY: ARMENIA CRITERIA: C (ii) (iii) DECISION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE: Criterion (ii):The developments in ecclesiastical architecture represented in an outstanding manner by the Churches at Echmiatsin and the archaeological site of Zvartnots had a profound influence on church design over a wide region. Criterion (iii): The Churches at Echmiatsin and the archaeological site of Zvartnots vividly depict both the spirituality and the innovatory artistic achievement of the Armenian Church from its foundation. BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS The cathedral and churches of Echmiatsin and the archaeological remains at Zvartnots graphically illustrate the evolution and flowering of the Armenian central-domed cross- hall type of church, which exerted a profound influence on architectural and artistic development in the region. 1.b State, Province or Region: Armavir Marz (region) 1.d Exact location: 40° 9' N, 44° 17' E NOMINATION TO THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST ECHMIATSIN AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF ZVARTNOTS Presented by the REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA YEREVAN 1999 Identification of the Property a. ARMENIA (REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA) b. Republic of Armenia, Armavir Marz (region) c. Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots d. Exact location (LAT 40 9,8' and LONG 44 17,6'), see the map A e. See the map B attached f. See the map C attached and aerial photograph Justification for inscription a. The Armenian culture is one of the worlds's oldest. It carries all the layers of humankind civilisation. The beginning of the new period of the history of Armenia has to be considered the year 301AD, when Armenia has declared Christianity as its state religion. The great Armenian historian of the 5th century Agatangeghos (Agafangel in Greek) tells, that St Gregor Lousavorich (St Gregory Illuminator), first Patriarch of Armenia, had a vision: Christ came down from Heaven and touched the earth with a golden hammer. In that place a church has been build called Echmiatsin, i.e. the place where the only begotten descended. Scholars have various interpretations about the primary construction of Echmiatsin Main Cathedral. In its present form the church is the result of reconstruction made in 5-7th centuries and belongs to the type of construction of cathedrals – central domed criss-cross hall. In fact, this cathedral is the prototype of all further constructions of the same type. Since 15th century Echmiatsin with the Main Cathedral and surrounding other buildings has served as the Mother See of Armenian Apostolic Church and the residence of All Armenian Catholikos. Besides the Main Cathedral, there are St Gayaneh Church, the St Hripsimeh Church, Sourb Astvatsatsin (Mother of Christ) Church, St Shoghakat Church and others (see the List of Monuments attached – Annex I). The majority of the monuments is in sufficient 3 condition and protected by the Headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic church, by the Municipality of Echmiatsin and the State Department on Protection and Preservation of Historical and Cultural Monuments. Three separate areas are presenting for the inscription to World Heritage List under the nomination Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots. Those three areas are: i. First area – Mother Cathedral of Echmiatsin, the Saint Gayaneh Church and the surrounding protection zone. The area is about 30.2 hectar, which is divided as such: 18.8 hectar. Belongs to the Mother See of Echmiatsin (16.4 hectar. Mother Cathedral and surrounding constructions, 2,0 hectar. Church Saint Gayaneh and surrounding buildings, 0.4 hectar. Cemetery of Congregation), 11.4 hectar.- Belongs to the community of Echmiatsin city (See the map D and aerial photograph 1) ii. Second area – Saint Hripsimeh Church, Saint Shoghakat church and surrounding protection zone. This area is about 25.3 hectar, 6.2 hectar is the territory of Saint Hripsimeh Church, i.e. belongs to the Mother See. The rest of the territory 19.2 hectar belongs to the community of Echmiatsin City (See the map E) iii. Third Area – Archaeological site of Zvartnots with the ruins of Temple, King palace and other constructions and surrounding protecting zone and occupied about 18.8 hectar, belongs to the State Department of Protection and Preservation of Historical and Cultural Monuments (See the map F and aerial photograph 2) The First and the Second areas together are surrounded with one common buffer zone, which is approximately 93 hectar. The Buffer zone of the Third area is 24 hectar. The territories of the buffer zones belong to the community of the City of Echmiatsin. Protecting zones of the mentioned areas are surrounded with buffer zones. In the buffer zones it is forbidden to construct buildings higher than 8m. Close to the buffer zones some landscape zones are defined and protected in order to have a picturesque view of the monuments with the mountains Ararat and Aragats. b. As a comparative analysis it should be noted, that many early mediaeval Christian churches were constructed under the influence of 4 this central domed criss-cross hall type and it should be considered as a great achievement for that centuries to construct a coupola. See the "Vagharshapat" publication attached. c. As the evidence of the authenticity of the site of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots could be taken the bibliography of publications, which includes the historical manuscripts, the literature about the various periods of Armenian history, the research of architects and scholars. (see the list of Bibliography in the publication "Vagharshapat" attached). d. The Mother See of Echmiatsin with the Main Cathedral and other churches has an exceptional value for Armenians and for humankind as well. Actually, Echmiatsin is a symbol of Armenian identity and it is considered to be the assurance for the future, which has reached us through the ages. Apart from these, the Echmiatsin Mother Cathedral and the other churches with their surrounding buildings present the best and classical example of Armenian Architecture in all stages of developments. Finally, It should be stressed that the Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvatrnots fulfils all the criteria set out in paragraphs 24(b)-(i) of the Operational Guidelines. Description a. The Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin is the most ancient Christian temple in Armenia. It was built in 301 - 303 by Gregor Lousavorich (Saint Gregory the Illuminator), the founder of the Armenian Apostolic church in Vagharshapat (the former name of Echmiatsin), a capital and religious centre of Armenia at that time. The church of St. Hripsimeh (618 AD) represents the perfect type of cruciform plan and central cupola. Its dominant feature is the basic harmony of layout and proportions as well as the simplicity and classical purity of its facades, distinguish qualities of the Armenian architecture of the high Middle Ages. Apart from the addition of a bell-tower in the 17th century, the monument has come down to us throughout the ages without any fundamental transformation. This church is justly rated as a masterpiece. The Church of St. Gayaneh, built in Echmiadzin by order of the Catholikos Yezr in 630. The dating is confirmed by contemporary authors (Sebeos) and the church's construction and decor. 5 Slender and delicate proportions are distinguishing features of the cathedral. A dome and ceilings were rebuilt in 17th-century. This was also the time of adding an airy arch portico along the western facade - the burial place for the Armenian top clergy. Certain ruins are more eloquent than undamaged buildings. The famous Temple of Zvarthnots, the masterpiece of Armenian architecture at the zenith of the Middle Ages, is a striking example. The above mentioned three areas contains 275 monuments (see the List of the Monuments attached, see the map C). The other 31 monuments are placed in the other parts of the City, but they are under the State protection as well. b. Echmiatsin Cathedral was originally a vaulted basilica. Serious damage was caused to it as a result of unfavourable political upheavals. Restoration work in 480, in the days of Vahan Mamikonian, the Governor of Armenia, gave its present cruciform plan. In 618 Catholikos Komitas replaced the wooden cupola by an identical stone one; four powerful independent pillars connected by slender arcades with the exterior walls support its mass, of which those of the northern side belonged to the 4th and 5th centuries. This composition of the Cathedral has come down to our day almost unchanged. In front of the western entrance to the cathedral a three-tier belfry was built in the 17th century. The six-column rotundas on four-pillar bases, built at the beginning of the 18th century over the northern- eastern and southern apses, have given the cathedral a five-dome crowning. The interior murals, created by the Armenian painter N. Hovnatan in 1720, were restored and elaborated upon by his grandson H. Hovnatanyan in 1782-86. Rich gifts of church-plate and valuable pieces of art kept pouring into Echmiatsin as the Residence of the Catholikos. Three premises, now housing the monastery's museum, were annexed to eastern side of the cathedral in 1869 to keep these gifts in. On the monastery yard there are the buildings of the Catholikossat, a school, winter and summer refectories, a hostel, Trdat's Gate and other structures. They were built in 17th-19th centuries. On the initiative of Catholikos Vazgen I, restoration work on a scientific basis has recently been undertaken. Excavations have revealed finds of the pagan era, such as a sacrificial altar and an Urartyan stele in granite. 6 After 1675 years of existence, this Cathedral stands as the most ancient monument of Armenian architecture and the Mother See of all Armenians.